‘Terminator’ Update: Emilia Clarke, Brie Larson On Short List To Play Sarah Connor

EXCLUSIVE: I’m hearing that Paramount and director Alan Taylor are looking closely at Emilia Clarke and Brie Larson to play the role of Sarah Connor in the Terminator reboot that is being assembled for a July, 2015 release. Both actresses have tested for the producers, and they are the frontrunners. I have heard that Clarke has an edge, and that would not be surprising. Before Taylor helmed Thor: The Dark World, he directed Clarke in HBO’s Game Of Thrones. She, of course, plays the unforgettable dragon-commanding heroine Daenerys Targaryen in that massive HBO series, and has demonstrated the mettle to capably play one of the screen’s most formidable heroines as originated by Linda Hamilton in James Cameron’s first two films in the series.

Larson is emerging from distinguished work on the indie film circuit that this year includesShort Term 12 and The Spectacular Now. She also did 21 Jump Street, and she’s attached to star in the remake of The Gambler. I’ve also heard that Kyle Reese, played by Michael Biehn in the original film, will be a character in this version, as will John Connor, so it seems like a jump into the future might be part of the plot line. The completion of this franchise is expected to span at least two films. They are casting the Sarah Connor role before Reese and John Connor. Stay tuned. The film’s produced by Annapurna’s Megan Ellison and Skydance’s David Ellison, and the script is by Laeta Kalogridis and Patrick Lussier. Arnold Schwarzenegger is booked for a return as the title character.